2025 Insights - 2025-02-07
Path to Net Zero: Our 2024 Carbon Report
Zack Fineberg | Head of ESG & Sustainability at PKF Octagon
At PKF Octagon, sustainability is an integral part of our ambitious growth strategy, extending beyond a mere service offering to become a foundational principle. By leading through example, we aim to demonstrate how businesses can drive expansion while embedding sustainable practices, bridging the gap between environmental science and social impact, and advocating for South African industry within the global sustainability agenda.
Read more2025 Insights - 2025-02-03
China’s Dominance in the Global Motor Industry: A New Era of Leadership
The Chinese motor industry has solidified its position as a global leader, with 2023 and 2024 marking significant milestones. According to the East Asia Forum (EAF), China now accounts for an impressive 68% of global electric vehicle (EV) production, 86% of solar module production, and 74% of lithium-ion battery production.
Read more2025 Insights - 2025-01-30
China’s Economic Overview: Resilience Amid Challenges
Despite facing multiple headwinds, China’s economy demonstrated resilience in the first half of 2024, growing at a robust rate of 5.0%. According to the World Bank, this growth was driven by strong consumer spending on services, robust exports, and increased investment in manufacturing and public infrastructure. However, the momentum has slowed since the second quarter, reflecting uneven growth across sectors.
Read more2025 Insights - 2025-01-16
Navigating Acquisitions: 5 Red Flags to Consider Before Making the Leap
In the dynamic world of business, acquisitions can be a strategic move to fuel growth and enhance market presence. However, it's crucial to tread carefully and assess potential red flags before sealing the deal. Here are five warning signs to consider before purchasing a company:
Read more2025 Insights - 2025-01-16
Principles of Financial Modelling in Business
As a business expands, its operations become increasingly complex and demanding. Growth presents new challenges and opportunities, necessitating the adaptation of strategies, operations, and resources to sustain progress. One method for evaluating operations and future growth potential is through financial modelling.
Read more2024 Insights - 2024-12-04
Transfer Pricing – more a journey than the destination
Antonia Nicoloudakis | Tax Specialist, PKF Octagon
As the world's connectivity expands, and companies strategise to be more dynamic and competitive in the market, tax authorities too are utilising the advancements in technologies to enhance their reach. With this international expansion of businesses comes the constraints and complexities of transfer pricing.
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2024 Insights - 2024-11-25
How audit firms are enhancing ESG compliance in today's business landscape
Zack Fineberg | Head of ESG & Sustainability at PKF Octagon
The growing importance of ESG compliance in business
In recent years, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has emerged as a critical component for businesses aiming to maintain their competitive edge and remain complaint in the face of evolving regulations.
Read more2024 Insights - 2024-09-20
VAT Regisration Process And Requirements
Rika Lintvelt | Senior Tax Administrator - PKF Port Elizabeth
Previously the VAT registration process entailed submitting VAT registration applications at the nearest SARS branch by appointment.
Due to an increase in VAT fraud, SARS changed the VAT registration process by introducing the electronic submissions of VAT applications. It appears that SARS now uses sophisticated risk engines to identify potentially fraudulent VAT registrations filed online.
Read more2024 Insights - 2024-09-20
TAX Refund Scam Awareness
Delecia Venter | Senior Tax Manager at PKF Port Elizabeth
SARS refunds scams are increasingly common during filing seasons. Scammers have become more sophisticated with time, which makes it difficult to detect the scams as it closely mimics legitimate correspondence from SARS.
Read more2024 Insights - 2024-09-20
SARS Scrutiny: Provisional Tax Estimates
Delecia Venter | Senior Tax Manager at PKF Port Elizabeth
Provisional tax is a mechanism which essentially helps taxpayers to manage their income tax liabilities by having to avoid making one large payment on assessment. It is also a mechanism for SARS to collect taxes upfront helping SARS manage its tax collection mandate and cashflow.
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